High-powered angel investors sink $2M in new virtual reality startup

A group of high-profile angel investors are betting big on new virtual reality startup Envelop VR.

The Bellevue company today announced $2 million in seed funding, including cash from Seattle angels Hank Vigil, Sujal Patel, Rudy Gadre and Geoff Entress.

Envelop VR is specializing in applications for the business world, allowing employees to work together in a virtual environment in order to more quickly solve problems. The company says one unique feature of its software will allow developers to work and create content while in their own 3D environment, eliminating the need to switch between 2D and 3D worlds.

“Virtual reality, the technology that’s been 10 years away for 40 years, is finally here,” said CEO Bob Berry, who also serves as CEO of Bellevue game studio Uber Entertainment. “Our vision at Envelop is to realize VR’s full potential and use it to enrich our lives and the world around us.”

Virtual reality, the technology that’s been 10 years away for 40 years, is finally here.

GeekWire covered Envelop VR’s plans for the funding round in February, with Berry saying that the Seattle region is poise to be a major VR center.

“It’s the perfect market because we have so many video game companies here, which means a wealth of real-time 3D graphics talent,” Berry said of Seattle.

The lineup of investors behind Envelop VR is impressive, with Isilion Systems co-founder Patel saying that the technology could have a big impact on how teams work together.

“I believe Envelop VR’s software will help accelerate the implementation of virtual reality by vastly improving the workflow for developers, as well as businesses who want to use the medium to help solve for critical workplace visualization challenges,” said Patel in a release. “This will allow for more quality content to be developed and ensure a much more enjoyable experience for the masses.”